The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA), said that it requires some $95 million to cover the emergency needs of 5.6 million registered Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, until the end of December.   Palestinians in Gaza, including the 76% of the population that are Palestine refugees, are enduring the COVID-19 pandemic at the same time as 20 hours of electricity cuts, 14 years of blockade and ongoing… Read More

The vaccine procurement and distribution effort, involving over 170 economies, could possibly be the world’s largest and fastest ever operation of its kind.  This is an all-hands on deck partnership between governments, manufacturers and multilateral partners to continue the high-stakes fight against the #COVID19 pandemic. https://t.co/dz8TnJEAd8 — Henrietta H. Fore (@unicefchief) September 4, 2020 “This is an all-hands on deck… Read More

“Although we have not convened in this Hall since March, New York-based delegations have worked tirelessly to uphold the values and principles set out in the Charter of the United Nations, whilst contending with the COVID-19 pandemic”, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande told the downsized delegations from Member States. Ensuring continuity  Mr. Muhammad-Bande called the Assembly the UN’s “chief deliberative body”, saying that… Read More

Speaking at one of a series of international meetings among heads of State to enhance global cooperation in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, as part of the Aqaba Process, Secretary-General António Guterres said the pandemic was more than a global health crisis. Terrorists are exploiting the hardships caused by #COVID19 to radicalize & recruit. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, conspiracy theorists &… Read More

“If countries are serious about opening, they must be serious about suppressing transmission and saving lives”, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, briefing reporters from Geneva.  “Opening up without having control, is a recipe for disaster.” We are 8 months into the #COVID19 pandemic & we understand that people are tired & yearn to get on with their lives, but no country… Read More

The Review Committee will advise whether any amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) are necessary to ensure it is as effective as possible, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists.  He said the COVID-19 pandemic has been “an acid test” for many countries, organizations and the treaty.  “Even before the pandemic, I have spoken about how emergencies such… Read More

Interruptions of HIV services, harassment, abuse, arrests, deaths and a failure to respect human rights in the early responses to the pandemic have underscored how trust has been undermined, individuals harmed, and public health responses set back, according to a new UNAIDS report launched on Thursday. “It is a myth that there can be a trade-off between human rights and… Read More

COVID-19 is posing potential catastrophic impacts on people living with HIV and tuberculosis (TB) , with projected deaths to increase up to 10, 20 and 36 per cent for HIV, TB and malaria patients, respectively, over the next five years, according to UNAIDS, the UN agency dedicated to tackling the virus. UNAIDS calls on countries to adopt urgent measures to… Read More

Through two airlifts and commercial cargo routes, vital personal protective equipment (PPE), medical, health hygiene and nutrition supplies were able to reach those in desperate need. “Before the dust had begun to settle, UNICEF teams were working to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian supplies could reach children and families affected as soon as possible”, said UNICEF Lebanon Representative Yukie Mokuo.… Read More

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris addressed concerns that the development could herald a new alert. On #COVID19 reinfections: “The numbers are very, very small… This is one documented case in over 23 million.” “We will probably see other documented cases. But it seems to be not a regular event – we would… Read More